I intended to take only a brief maternity leave from my stationery shop, Pink Loves Brown, after August was born. Just as I had done with Eleanor. The first time around, I closed for six months, and I foolishly thought that I could reopen much quicker the second time around. I was a WAHM already — I’d been around the block! I knew what to expect! Six months? Let’s go for six weeks!

I didn’t know what to expect. The shop stayed closed a little longer. Then a lot longer.

We considered reopening the shop last year when Brandon lost his job, but we decided against it. The blog, and the opportunities that came along with it, would support our family far better than my stationery line. Going full-time here has gone well, and so I quietly (finally) closed the shop a couple of months ago. I don’t know why it took me so long to write about it. I shuttered something that was successful, which is a hard thing to explain. I sometimes think of the way I write about our life as having my hand on the five-second delay, not because I’m hiding anything or afraid of letting something slip, but because havings a tiny bit of distance helps me get perspective. Closing the shop was difficult. It was a huge part of our lives.

I started my stationery business in 2005, after requests started picking up from friends and family (and friends of family) to design invitations. Like many new stationers, I became interested after designing my own wedding invitations. After a few custom invitation projects, I realized that I was more interested in creating a line of greeting cards and stationery, and so I focused my attention there. The shop did well, and picked up a fair amount of press coverage. I came out with new design collections every 4-6 months, and promoted them ontheblog and through my shop’s newsletter. Over time, I added buttons, magnets, bookplates, and paper suitcases to my shop’s wares.

We finished the basement with the intention of moving my studio down there (along with creating the laundry room, play room, and storage space). We did move everything downstairs, but only utilized the space for personal use. There are only so many hours in a day. The time I devote to work, time away from Brandon and the kids, needs to be spent as productively as possible. That meant letting the shop go and closing that chapter. I know it’s not a surprise, and that I should have come to this point much sooner, but here we are.

In an effort to clear out my inventory before we move, I’ll be selling the remainder of my paper suitcases for the next week. All sales will be final, and only the paper suitcase category will be active. Everything else in the shop will be listed as “out of stock,” but I do still have plenty of inventory left. So all of the other stuff you see in the shop? Freebies, with purchase! Bonus goodies will be included with each order, grab bag style.

(And if you’re a local stationer in need of card stock, envelopes, or cellophane card sleeves and boxes, let me know. You’re welcome to my surplus of supplies if you’ll come pick it up.)

Some of you have been reading for a long time, and you probably remember when the shop was open. Some of you have even been customers! The shop was a huge part of this blog’s journey, and whether you’re new here or have been around since the beginning, thank you.

Update: The paper suitcases are now sold out (I’ll ship everything out by Monday morning at the latest), and someone will be picking up the surplus supplies.

51 Responses to “Pink Loves Brown, Closing Up Shop”

I’m just sorry I didn’t realize you had a shop prior to its closing!
Any chance of getting the stationery by other means? I have a few styles that I’m interested in, but don’t want to take my chances with a grab bag.

It would be too difficult to try and fulfill orders from all the items in the shop, since so much of it was personalized, or things that I have in inventory are not yet packaged. That’s why I figured I’d just do it grab bag style. If anyone wants to make note of a request in the order comments though, I’m happy to try and honor it, but I just can’t guarantee it.

Nicole, I remember reading about your shop on Apartment Therapy and discovering your blog. I’m sorry that chapter in your life had to close, but it seems like it was a really happy one with lots of great memories. I ordered some suitcases for myself, and also got blue ones for my boys, since they are such collectors. Thank you so much. I’m excited to follow this next chapter in your life. :)

Oh, I’m sorry about that. I thought that I’d turned the SSL off for orders, but it seems to be giving you a problem. I’ll look into fixing it. I’m not collecting any sensitive information through the site though — all payments are being processed through PayPal.

Hi Nicole- I’m a Chicago suburb raised stationer and would be very interested in your extra supplies you are clearing out. I would be happy to come pick them up. I have family in melrose park that could be there whenever is convenient for you. Thank you! Kelly.a.duvall@gmail.com

I tried to order the red(with blue) and the blue(with red) suitcases – it kept telling me my order was complete, but I couldn’t get to the confirmation. I started again, but it’s saying that you are out of stock and closed, so I’m not sure if I was successful or not.

I have some of your cards (with the pink and brown silhouettes of women series) that I bought years and years and years and years ago from the Barbara’s Bookstore that used to be on Lake Street. I use them as art in my office. Good luck with your new venture–and congrats on the new house.

Hi Nicole! I’ve been following along for awhile now and am so SO glad to have caught the last of your suitcases too! I’m so sad that those pocket mirrors aren’t available anymore…they’re adorable! I love all the patterns you used – especially the ones in blues and pinks! :) Much blessings to you and your family!

Hi Nicole: I just came across your site and blog today. I LOVE your product, and was trying to purchase some of your suitcases, but they all say sold out. From reading earlier posts, it looks like there were ordering issues with the suitcases. Are they really all sold? I would be interested if you still have some available.
Much luck to you as you move on to the next chapter in your life.

I’m so sorry to see the shop go. Especially since I just moved to Chicago. Gives me a whole new perspective on your post. I’d love to come pick up some of your surplus stock. Can you tell me when and where?

Congratulations on your success! I really need a bit of extra money so I often think about opening an etsy shop, but considering all the time I would spend making, photographing, advertising, and shipping the product – it just never seems like it would be worth it and maybe I should just to something more straightforward, like work in a restaurant, LOL.

Anyway, I used your pink suitcase at our wedding and now it holds all of our cards and mementos :) I love it!

I loved your periodic table of sentiments cards from the first moment I laid eyes on them. I think that may even be how I discovered your blog??? I ordered them way back then and would love some more… Any chance they’re still up for grabs if I order a suitcase?

Hugs to you – I’m happy for you that you are able to support your family.

So sad to see that chapter close, I’ve been around since before Eleanor.. but I know that just means you’ve got a great future ahead. I am one of those people who has always envied those who can get their stuff together and make it happen (Make it lovely?). Did you happen to ever do a post on how you just went for it? I can’t remember. I am a creative type with all the tools necessary except for the $$ and the balls. I need a push. You are a true inspration.

Glad I was able to order the hot pink that just became available!!! Perhaps it will inspire me to move forward! Best wishes to you Nicole!

Looks like I missed them all… Darn!
Congratulations to you and your family for moving on to the next step. I’m sure it is hard to see your business close, but I wish you nothing but the best in your current endeavors.

Pooh! I subscribe to your blog via e-mail and did not receive the info until today (Wednesday), but now it seems all the suitcases are gone?!?! I’ve seen them elsewhere and always thought they would be perfect for my kids and their collections and treasures (or heck, even my own). Plus the added bonuses would be great (I’m crazy about cool paper things!). Please let me know if there are anymore hiding over there and I’ll be happy to place an order, pick up, or whatever. Very fun to see where this blog takes you next – the new house looks FANTASTIC – can’t wait!
cheers, Christine W.
(ps, i’m sorority sisters w/J & P, so I especially love any posts where you mention your extended fam ;)

Hi Nicole,
Love your work! I’ve been reading your blog FOREVER, but I don’t comment often. I started designing custom invites and announcements after creating the printed pieces for my own wedding, too! I’m considering branching out into cards and stationery. Any words of wisdom for a designer starting something new? I have a lot of design ideas, but I’m not sure what to do next!
Thanks,
Lydia

I purchased gifts for my Chicago and California families from your shop–that’s how I found your blog. Sad to see the shop close for good, but it’s important for you do follow your heart. Good luck with this next phase of your career!

Your shop is actually how I found your blog . . I forget where I read about your cards, but I bought a birthday card for my brother even though his birthday had just passed the week before. I held onto it all year and gave it to him on his next birthday. Worth the wait, he loved it :) It’s bittersweet to see it go, but I understand completely.

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